MD Family Suffers Double Loss

Aaron Reed Hammond High School graduate passed away unexpectedly on January 26th in Buffalo New York. (Photo provided by the Reed family)

A Hammond High School graduate who was a musician and played in several local bands died unexpectedly in Buffalo, New York where he had moved to work and pursue music.

Aaron Reed would have turned 22-years-old today. His father Brian Reed tells WBAL Radio he drove through a blizzard on February 6th from Buffalo to bring his son's remains and his musical equipment back to their home in Columbia.

Reed says late that night or early the next morning someone broke into the locked van outside their home and stole the guitars and other musical equipment that was inside.

"The things that we are most concerned about are his Fender Stratocaster guitar; he also had a really nice Yamaha acoustic guitar and a Crate tube amp. I don't know much about the music industry but that was a pretty rare amp," says Reed. "These things are important to us because they really were an extension of Aaron. He brought them everywhere. When we used to go on family vacations for a couple days he would always have one of those guitars with him so it is really important for us to get that equipment back."

Howard County Police say they are continuing to investigate the theft.

The family has offered up a reward and Reed says they have no interest in pressing charges. They just want Aaron's stuff back.

The Reed family has also started a nonprofit in their son's memory. They say the Pick Me Up Foundation will carry on Aaron's spirit through his love of music and helping people. Brian Reed says the name of the foundation is the name of the last song Aaron had written.

Reed says if anyone has information they are asked to contact the Howard County Police Department. He has also posted the stolen equipment on websites that musicians go to in the Baltimore area.

Brian Reed wants Aaron to be remembered a decade from now through a little gathering at the Reed home of all the children who received an instrument or learned how to record music through the foundation.